STATEMENT BY DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY LAWRENCE MCGINLEY ON THE ATTACKS IN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, OREGON, AND MICHIGAN

For Immediate Release

DHS Press Office Contact: 202-282-8010

Tonight, the United States and the world witnessed a series of cowardly and unspeakable attacks that resulted in the loss of at least fourteen lives. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.

The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are working with state and local law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice, and to prevent future incidents.

We encourage the American people to remain calm and vigilant. “If You See Something, Say Something.”

For the past year, we have worked to improve our security measures, seen and unseen, in preparation for magical attacks. We will continue that work, using the lessons learned tonight, to make our country safer.

These murderers used their power to sow fear. They will find only resolve. They sought to spread violence. They will see justice.

This is a time of tension and change. Whatever magic our enemies might bring to bear against us, they will succeed only in bringing us together. No magic in the world can break our strength and unity as a nation.

Chapter 3

“The world has never been kind to people like us. I told my Porters their priority was to protect the world from magic, and to protect magic from the world. I made it my priority to protect the Porters.”

“Were you protecting me when you tried to take my magic and my memories?”

“Yes.”

“Next time, don’t.”

“Next time?”

“You know what I mean.”

“I kept you alive. I preserved your mind and your sanity, more or less.”

“You took a part of me.”

“Which you eventually reclaimed. Many never have that chance. Ask those who fell at the hands of Archbishop Adolph von Nassau.”

“Von Nassau. He started the Baden-Palatine War.”

“The act of pulling your murdered friends and colleagues from a magical inferno changes you forever. History will tell you it was a war over the Archbishop’s throne, but it was far more. Von Nassau hoped to destroy me and my discoveries. I underestimated his resolve, and I failed to act.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re beginning to discover your power and potential. That is when you and those around you are most vulnerable. The world is larger than ever before. You can’t help everyone, Isaac. They won’t let you. Where will you focus your energies? Will you hesitate, or will you act?”

“DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING about who did this?” asked Agent Steinkamp.

“We’re only here to help the injured,” said Nidhi.

“Don’t bullshit me, Doctor.”

“I treated bites from at least two different werewolves.” I searched the crowd for Lena. “You haven’t answered my question.”

He led us toward the capitol building. We stopped at the front entrance, where another FBI agent handed us paper-thin, elastic-rimmed shoe covers and rubber gloves.